CYCLING PAIN

When Cycling Hurts Your Hoo-Ha

Any woman who has spent time on a bike seat knows the signature ache that accompanies it--and we're not talking about burning quads. But your lady parts don't have to suffer. These quick fixes will put the joy back in your ride.

When Cycling Hurts Your Hoo-HaAny woman who has spent time on a bike seat knows the signature ache that accompanies it--and we're not talking about burning quads. But your lady parts don't have to suffer. These quick fixes will put the joy back in your ride.

OUCH! Pelvic Pressure
Below-the-belt discomfort may seem like a guy's sports gripe--hello, jockstrap--but 63 percent of female cyclists have reported genital pain, numbness, or tingling while riding, according to Yale researchers. "Initial soreness is normal and can be expected during your first few times on a bike," says Laurie Cole, a senior master indoor cycling instructor at SoulCycle in New York City, the Hamptons, and Los Angeles. "But things should feel better as your body adjusts."

To Prevent PainDITCH THE CUSHIONED SEAT COVER. Counterintuitive but true: When your entire seat is squishy, all of your parts sink down into the saddle. A harder seat keeps you propped on your ischial (or "sit") bones, which can support your weight.WEAR PADDED SHORTS. The cushioning is strategically placed to reduce uncomfortable pressure. (Try Sugoi RS shorts, $130, sugoi.com.)ENGAGE YOUR CORE. Pulling your belly button toward your spine as if you were wearing a girdle will "reduce how much you bounce around in the seat," says Cole.CHECK YOUR SETUP. Improper seat and handlebar positioning can throw off your posture and cause ongoing pain.THINK BIGGER. Women tend to have wider sit bones than men do, so your seat could be too narrow. Indoor bike saddles are pretty much one size fits all, but if you're a road warrior, try a broader seat (like WTB Speed She Saddle, $40, wtb.com).

Get Help If any pain, numbness, tingling, or burning lasts longer than a week, head to the doctor, says Oscar A. Aguirre, M.D., a urogynecologist at Aguirre Specialty Care in Denver. Although not caused by cycling, a plugged gland, abscess, ovarian cyst, or pinched nerve could be responsible.